Vanderbilt's LBs mix talent, savvy

When the word 'draft' is linked to a Vanderbilt football player it usually means the first version of a term paper, not the NFL Draft.
Unless that player is a linebacker. - NFL Football -
Since 1969 the Commodores have sent more linebackers (10) to the NFL than at any other position. There are four former Vanderbilt linebackers on NFL rosters. And if this season's linebacker unit lives up to expectations, there may be more to come.
"Some programs produce wide receivers, some produce quarterbacks," Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson said. "It's just sort of a quirky thing. There's no rhyme or reason to it that I can figure out."
Instead of trying to determine the reasons why, the coaching staff spent the spring determining how to use its linebackers. First they moved Herdley Harrison to defensive end, where he's looked comfortable and productive during the first week of preseason camp. Then Johnson moved safety Marcus Buggs to strongside linebacker because of the physical and smart play from the former Goodpasture standout. - NFL Football -
But it's the starting trio that has Johnson and his staff smiling. There's middle linebacker Jonathan Goff, an imposing, fast sophomore who stands 6 foot 4 and weighs 236 pounds. There's strongside linebacker Kevin Joyce, who worked his way into a starting job because of his nose for the ball and go-all-out performances as a backup last year.
The cream of the crop is senior Moses Osemwegie, a two-time All-SEC first-team selection who is the conference's active leader in tackles (273).
But ask Johnson what one word describes his linebackers, and it's not speed or strength — even though he admits they have those qualities. - NFL Football -
"To me it's savvy," Johnson said. "You have to know what's going on. You have to know when to stick your nose up into a hole or when the backs going to cut it back. It's a matter of learning your position. We've had some over the years who weren't particularly fast who were really good, and we had some who were really fast and not real big who were good. There are a lot of different combinations. But they all had that knack for getting to the football."

BRYAN MULLEN